Demand forecasting and inventory management as requirements for quality assurance in a bakery company

Abstract

This paper is a case study on the influence of inventory management on the results and profitability of a bakery located in the municipality of Nova Iguaçu, in the state of Rio de Janeiro. As a general objective, this study sought to identify the extent to which demand forecasting influences the inventory management of the bakery studied. To this end, the intermediate objectives were to evaluate how demand forecasting is applied, to verify how information on raw material stock levels is managed at the bakery and, finally, to report on how the adoption of a stock control methodology has a positive impact on the quality of service and the bakery's results. The theoretical reference research used a literature review as its methodology, but as far as the case study is concerned, local observations were made and a questionnaire was applied to the operation's manager, comprising ten discursive questions. Based on the analysis of the data collected, the results of the research made it clear how important it is to optimize stocks at the company in order to obtain better results and reduce freight costs, making it financially healthier and, consequently, increasing its profitability. To this end, the need for theoretical and technical knowledge, updating, integration of information, stock management strategy and investment in technologies and tools for stock control and management has become apparent.

Using statistical techniques to validate the hypothesis of independence in control charts

“…Statistics is an essential tool and has been used in several applications and in all areas of human knowledge to improve processes, as decision making and to ensure that the environment is preserved (Cardoso, R.P ;Sampaio, N.A.S;Reis, J.S.M;Silva, D.E.W; da Silva et al, 2021;Correa, M.P.O;Santos, R.R;Cardoso, R.P;Reis, J.S.M; Mendonça et al, 2023;Menezes et al, 2023;Rezende et al, 2023;Rubert et al, 2023;Veloso et al, 2023;Yamada et al, 2023) Many authors have addressed the problem of autocorrelation, especially in the manufacturing environment. This problem has become more serious in the last two decades with the advance of technology, as it is possible to measure the quality characteristics of practically every item produced.…”